The Vancouver city council, led by Mayor Ken Sim and the ABC majority, passed a significant budget decision known as the “zero-means-zero” budget on Tuesday.
With all seven ABC councillors supporting the budget, it has sparked controversy. On the other side, the four opposing councillors voted against the proposal.
The key feature of this budget is that there will be no increase in property taxes for the year 2026. However, citizens can expect utility fees for services like water, sewer, and garbage to increase by over four per cent on average.
Mayor Sim and the ABC council members argue that this budget will alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers. In contrast, critics express concerns, suggesting that it may result in layoffs within city departments. Union representatives estimate that around 400 full-time positions could potentially be cut.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving development.